Ella Gaskins, 87, of Bethera Road in Bonneau, retired dispatcher for the U.S. Forestry Witherbee Station, and widow of Orris Gaskins, passed away Monday, May 21, 2012, at her home.

Mrs. Gaskins was born February 11, 1925, in Berkeley County, a daughter of William J. Pierce and Mary Mills Pierce.

Surviving are a daughter - Gertrude Kurtz of Bonneau; 4 sisters - Anna Williams; Pearlie Litchfield; Alberta Johns and her husband, Bill; and Mary Mathews and her husband, Jack, all of Bonneau; 5 brothers - Woodrow Pierce; Lewis Pierce and his wife, Lenora; Aiken pierce and his wife, Shirley; George Pierce and his wife, Vickie; and Cecil Pierce and his wife, Pat, all of Bonneau; 5 grandchildren - Sonya Waters; Miranda Litchfield; Dusty Litchfield; Amanda Baker; and Candace Kurtz; and 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister - Cora Lee Williams.

Her funeral service will be held at Russell Funeral Chapel Wednesday afternoon, May 23, 2012, at 2 o'clock. Interment will follow in Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Russell Funeral Chapel from 1 P.M. until the hour of service.